One of the many unusual sights on Rua Ipiranga in Laranjeiras is the hoards of drummers piling into Rio Maracatu to rehearse, hang out and browse the rows of drums, berimbaus and hi-hats that fill the shop. In the back is a soundproofed drumming studio with two kits ready for classes (R$220 for four one hour lessons on anything from congas to pandeiro), and upstairs the more spacious rehearsal room where the likes of Carnival crew Empolga As Nove ready themselves for their annual bloco frenzy. Some unique finds, such as the percussion keys with a wooden Cristo Redentor perched on top, make it worth even a casual browse, but for the aficionado it is paradise.